Trip report for The Ramble and Lake, Central Park, New York City, June 6, 2015.
Trip leader: Regina Alvarez
The day began with a drizzle, but four people still showed for the walk. It remained overcast for much of the walk and the sun came out towards the end of our journey.
We entered the park at 79 street and Central Park West and headed for the Ramble. We took our time and explored much of the western half of this woodland. As former Woodland Manager for the Central Park Conservancy, I was able to describe the woodland restoration projects that have taken place over the years. We were able to see the many restoration species that are now flourishing, including some woodland wildflowers such as Jeffersonia diphylla, Asarum canadense, Zizia aurea and Aquilegia canadensis.
Following is a list of some of the species we saw and discussed.
| Family | Species | Common name | Comments |
| Aceraceae | Acer platanoides | Norway maple | Non-native invasive |
| Aceraceae | Acer rubrum | Red maple | Native |
| Anacardiaceae | Rhus aromatica | Fragrant sumac | Restoration species |
| Anacardiaceae | Rhus coppalinum | Shining sumac | Restoration species |
| Anacardiaceae | Rhus glabra | Smooth sumac | Restoration species |
| Anacardiaceae | Rhus typhina | Staghorn sumac | Restoration species |
| Anacardiaceae | Toxicodendron radicans | Poison ivy | Native |
| Apiaceae | Zizia aurea | Golden Alexanders | Restoration species |
| Apocynaceae | Apocynum canabinum | Dogbane | Native |
| Aquifoliaceae | Ilex verticillata | Winterberry | Restoration species |
| Araceae | Symplocarpus foetidus | Skunk cabbage | Restoration species |
| Aristolochiaceae | Asarum canadense | American ginger | Restoration species |
| Asteraceae | Ageratina altissima | Snakeroot | Native |
| Asteraceae | Chrysogonum virginianum | Green-and-gold | Restoration species |
| Asteraceae | Eurybia divaricata | White wood aster | Native |
| Balsaminaceae | Impatiens capensis | Jewelweed | Native |
| Berberidaceae | Jeffersonia diphylla | Twin leaf | Restoration species |
| Cannabaceae | Celtis occidentalis | Hackberry | Native |
| Caprifoliaceae | Lonicera japonica | Japanese honeysuckle | Non-native, invasive |
| Caprifoliaceae | Lonicera sempervirens | Trumpet honeysuckle | Restoration species |
| Dryopteridaceae | Dryopteris marginalis | Marginal fern | Restoration species |
| Dryopteridaceae | Polystichum acrostichoides | Christmas fern | Restoration species |
| Ericaceae | Kalmia latifolia | Mountain laurel | Restoration species |
| Fagaceae | Quercus rubra | Red oak | Native, seedlings present |
| Fagaceae | Quercus velutina | Black oak | Native |
| Geraniaceae | Geranium maculatun | Wild geranium | Restoration species |
| Gingkoaceae | Ginkgo biloba | Maidenhair tree | Non-native ornamental |
| Juglandaceae | Carya cordiformis | Bitternut hickory | Native |
| Lauraceae | Lindera benzoin | Spicebush | Restoration species |
| Lauraceae | Sassafras albidum | Sassafras | Native |
| Moraceae | Morus alba | Mulberry | Non-native ornamental, seedlings present |
| Onocleaceae | Matteucia struthiopteris | Ostrich fern | Restoration species |
| Osmundaceae | Osmunda regalis | Royal fern | Restoration species |
| Paulowniaceae | Paulownia tomentosa | Princess tree | Non-native ornamental, seedlings present |
| Phytolaccaceae | Phytolacca americana | Pokeweed | Native |
| Pincaceae | Pinus strobus | White pine | Restoration species |
| Poaceae | Dichanthelium clandestinum | Deertongue | Native |
| Poaceae | Elymus hystrix | Bottlebrush grass | Restoration species |
| Polygonaceae | Fallopia japonica | Japanese knotweed | Non-native invasive |
| Polygonaceae | Persicaria virginiana | Virginia knotweed | Native |
| Ranunculaceae | Aquilegia canadenis | Columbine | Restoration species |
| Ranunculaceae | Caltha palustris | Marsh marigold | Restoration species |
| Rosaceae | Amelanchier sp. | Shadbush | Restoration species |
| Rosaceae | Prunus serotina | Black cherry | Native |
| Rosaceae | Rosa virginiana | Virginia rose | Restoration species |
| Rosaceae | Rubus phoenicolasius | Wineberry | Non-native, spreading, invasive? |
| Sapindaceae | Koelrueteria paniculata | Goldenrain tree | Non-native ornamental, seedlings present |
| Smilacaceae | Smilax sp. | Catbriar | Native |
| Violaceae | Viola canadensis | Canada violet | Restoration species |